Planting system

ABSTRACT

A planting module for planting a seed or a bulb in the earth includes the seed or bulb disposed in a dissoluble capsule so that after the module has been placed in the earth and water is supplied, the capsule disintegrates and the seed or bulb sprouts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Priority is claimed from Provisional Patent Application havingserial No. 60/301,467, and entitled The Instant Gardener Bag. Theteachings of that application are hereby incorporated into the presentapplication by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to apparatus andmethods for planting seeds and bulbs, and for facilitating early growththereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The planting of seeds and bulbs for growing flowers or vegetablesis a notoriously laborious process, and requires specific knowledge ofthe optimum planting parameters for the specific seeds or bulbs beingplanted. Generally, each type of seed or bulb has a preferred depth atwhich it should be planted, and for maximum production of flowers orvegetables, there is an optimum separation for the seeds or bulbs.

[0004] Traditional planting methods generally involve preparing theexisting soil by spading and tilling to Form a loose soil and eliminateweeds. Seeds or bulbs are ,then placed in the soil and may be watered toaccelerate growth. The seeds or bulbs therefore begin sprouting in soilwhich may have a poor chemical profile, and thus their growth may beretarded. Also, the process of spading and tilling the earth generallydoes not eliminate all weed material, and weeds soon begin to grow.Unless the gardener has specific knowledge concerning the seeds or bulbsbeing planted, they may not be placed at the optimum depth or at theoptimum separation from one another. Furthermore, the labor of plantingincludes the step of adding fertilizer of the correct type andconcentration for the seeds or bulbs being planted

[0005] A number of patents address the need to facilitate the plantingprocess of seeds by providing mats containing seeds. After the ground istilled, the mats are placed on the ground and watered to encouragegrowth. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,745 teaches a layered systemincluding viscous cellulose fiber sheets containing seeds. Additionallayers provide protection.

[0006] In these layered systems, generally the seeds are not at anoptimum separation, and they are disposed in fibrous material, not ingood potting soil. Also, once the seeds sprout and begin to grow, theymay crowd each other, and retard each other's growth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In one aspect, the present invention is a planting arrangementthat includes a dissoluble container with potting soil disposed in thedissoluble container, the potting soil having a generally level surface.One or more planting modules which are spaced apart from one another areplaced in the soil, each of the planting modules including one or moreseeds or bulbs disposed in a dissoluble capsule. The plantingarrangement may be placed in earth with its generally level surface atapproximately the level of the surrounding earth.

[0008] In another aspect, the present invention is a planting modulewhich includes a dissoluble capsule containing at least one seed or atleast one bulb.

[0009] In an additional aspect, the present invention is a method ofplanting seeds or bulbs. The method includes placing the seeds or thebulbs in dissoluble capsules, the dissoluble capsules having at leastone mark or structural feature which indicates a preferred plantingdepth for the seeds or the bulbs. The method also includes placing thecapsules in earth in accordance with the mark(s)or structural feature(s)whereby the seeds or the bulbs are at the preferred planting depth. Themethod further includes watering the capsules so that the capsulesdisintegrate and the seeds or the bulbs contact moistened earth togerminate and begin growth.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is therefore one of the primary objects of the presentinvention to facilitate the process of growing flowers and vegetables.

[0011] It is also an object of the present invention to provide aplanting system for seeds and bulbs for use by persons who are notskilled gardeners.

[0012] An additional object of the present invention is to enableplanting seeds and bulbs without extensive soil cultivation.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a plantingsystem for seeds and bulbs wherein growth begins in good potting soil.

[0014] Still another object of the present invention is to provide aplanting system for seeds and bulbs wherein growth begins in soil thatis free of weeds.

[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide aplanting system for seeds and bulbs that places the seeds or bulbs at anoptimum depth.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide aplanting system for seeds and bulbs that places the seeds or bulbs at anoptimum separation from each other.

[0017] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide aplanting arrangement having at least one embodiment wherein a ventilatedtransparent cover protects the newly sprouted plants from cold and thusenables planting earlier in the season.

[0018] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide acomplete planting arrangement wherein seeds or bulbs are disposed ingood potting soil at an optimum depth and an optimum separation from oneanother.

[0019] Yet still another object of the present invention is to provideseeds or bulbs in dissoluble capsules.

[0020] A still further object of the present invention is to provideseeds or bulbs in capsules that disintegrate when water is supplied.

[0021] An additional object of the present invention is to provideeconomical dissoluble capsules for seeds and bulbs.

[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is to provideplanting capsules which disintegrate without introducing harmfulproducts into the soil.

[0023] In addition to the various objects and advantages of the presentinvention which have been generally described above, there will bevarious other objects and advantages of the invention that will becomemore readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevantart from the following more detailed description of the invention,particularly, when the detailed description is taken in conjunction withthe attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a planting arrangementhaving a plurality of planting modules disposed in potting soil andcontained within a dissoluble container.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of the planting arrangementof FIG. 1 placed in the ground.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of the planting arrangementof FIG. 1 further including a ventilated transparent cover for thermalprotection.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of the planting arrangementof FIG. 1 further including rods connecting the planting modules toplace them at a preferred separation.

[0028]FIG. 5 is a perspective of a planting arrangement having aplurality of planting modules disposed in potting soil and containedwithin a dissoluble, elongate container.

[0029]FIG. 6 is a vertical section of a planting module having a seeddisposed within a dissoluble capsule.

[0030]FIG. 7 is a vertical section of a planting module having a bulbdisposed within a dissoluble capsule.

[0031]FIG. 8 is a vertical section of a planting module having a seedand potting soil disposed within a dissoluble capsule.

[0032]FIG. 9 is a vertical section of a planting module having a bulband potting soil disposed within a dissoluble capsule.

[0033]FIG. 10 is a view of a planting module having a seed disposed in adissoluble capsule and a paper or cardboard sheath, surrounding thecapsule.

[0034]FIG. 11 is an illustration of the planting module of FIG. 10placed in potting soil at a preferred depth for the seed.

CALL OUT LIST OR DRAWING ELEMENTS

[0035]10 Planting arrangement

[0036]12 Dissoluble Container

[0037]13 Perimeter of dissoluble container

[0038]14 Potting soil

[0039]15 Time release nutrient granules

[0040]16 Ventilated transparent cover for planting arrangement

[0041]17 Surface of potting soil

[0042]18 Ventilation port in ventilated transparent cover

[0043]20 Planting arrangement having elongate container

[0044]22 Elongate dissoluble container

[0045]30 Planting module

[0046]31 Dissoluble capsule

[0047]32 Dissoluble lid

[0048]33 Top of dissoluble capsule

[0049]34 Structural elements

[0050]35 Seed

[0051]36 Preferred planting depth for seed

[0052]37 Preferred separation

[0053]38 Bulb

[0054]39 Preferred planting depth for bulb

[0055]40 Ambient earth

[0056]42 Surface of ambient earth

[0057]50 Planting module including paper or cardboard sheath

[0058]52 Dissoluble capsule

[0059]54 Paper or cardboard sheath

[0060]56 Mark on planting module indicating preferred planting depth

[0061]60 Planting arrangement having ventilated transparent cover

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVEEMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0062] Attention is directed to FIG. 1 which illustrates a plantingarrangement, generally designated 10, according to the presentinvention. Planting arrangement 10 includes a dissoluble container 12,potting soil 14 disposed in dissoluble container 12, and a plurality ofplanting modules, generally designated 30 disposed in potting soil 14.Potting soil 14 has a generally level surface 17. Planting modules 30contain seeds or bulbs and are better shown in FIGS. 6-11. The termpotting soil, as employed in this application, refers to soil which hasa good organic component fur supporting plant growth, and which containsno weeds. It is sometimes referred to as “gardening soil”. The term“dissoluble” as employed in this application, refers to a material thatlooses its physical integrity when exposed to water. The preferredmaterial for this application is starch. A person skilled in the artwill recognize that most “packing peanuts” made to protect shipped goodsfrom breakage are made of starch. In the presently preferred embodiment,dissoluble container 12 is comprised of starch. In order to preventdissolution or loss of strength of the dissoluble container 12, themoisture content of the potting soil 14 should be not more than about 5%to 7%.

[0063]FIG. 2 illustrates the planting arrangement 10 disposed in theambient earth 40. The ambient earth 40 is presumed to not necessarily begood gardening soil. The planting arrangement 10 is placed in ambientearth 40 so the surface 17 of potting soil 14 is approximately at thelevel of surface 42 of ambient earth 40. When water is added, dissolublecontainer 12 looses its structural integrity. As discussed subsequently,planting modules 30 include seeds or bulbs which sprout and begingrowing into potting soil 14.

[0064]FIG. 3 illustrates a planting arrangement, generally designated60, that is similar to planting arrangement 10, except that it furtherincludes a ventilated transparent cover 16 having ventilation ports 18.Ventilated transparent cover 16 is attached, preferably by gluing, tothe perimeter 13 of dissoluble container 12. Ventilated transparentcover 16 is to facilitate planting early in the growing season.

[0065]FIG. 4 shows a planting arrangement 10 in which planting modules30 are spaced at a preferred separation 37 by structural elements 34. Itis presently preferred that structural elements 34 be rods. Preferably,they should also be made of a dissoluble material.

[0066]FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment in which a planting arrangement,generally designated 20, has an elongate dissoluble container 22. Thisarrangement is preferred for planting in rows.

[0067]FIG. 6 is a planting module 30 according to the present invention.A seed 35 is placed in a dissoluble capsule 31 having a dissoluble lid32. FIG. 7 illustrates a planting module 30 having a bulb 38 disposed indissoluble capsule 31 having a dissoluble lid 32.

[0068]FIGS. 8 and 9 show the planting module 30 disposed in potting soil14. Nutrient granules 15 may be disposed in potting soil 14. Thedissoluble lid 32 acts as a structural feature indicating a preferredorientation for placing the module in the potting soil 14. Furthermorethe dissoluble lid 32 acts as a structural feature indicating thepreferred planting depth. As shown in FIG. 8, if the top 33 of thedissoluble capsule 31 is at the level of surface 17 of potting soil 14,the seed 35 will be at the preferred planting depth 36. Likewise, asshown in FIG. 9, if the top 33 of dissoluble capsule 31 is at the levelof surface 17 of potting soil 14, the bulb 38 will be at the preferredplanting depth 39. It is presently preferred that dissoluble capsule 31and its dissoluble lid 32 be comprised of starch. To preserve thestructural integrity of the starch, the moisture content of potting soil14 should be no more than about 5% to 7%.

[0069] Planting module 30 may be included in planting arrangements 10,20, or 60. Alternatively, it may be employed as a planting aid of itsown. Used independently, it would be placed independently in pottingsoil 14. it may, for example, be employed for planting in a second year,following first planting of a planting arrangement 10, 20, or 60.

[0070] An alternative planting module, generally designated 50, isillustrated in FIG. 10. A portion has been cut away to reveal seed 35disposed in dissoluble capsule 52. A paper or cardboard sheath 54surrounds dissoluble capsule 52. Planting module 50 is particularlyintended for employment in planting arrangements 10, 20, or 60. Thepurpose of the paper or cardboard sheath 54 is to protect the dissolublecapsule 52 from moisture in potting soil 14. To ensure planting at thepreferred depth 36, one or more marks 56 are placed on paper orcardboard sheath 54 to indicate the preferred level of the surface 17 ofpotting soil 14.

[0071]FIG. 11 shows planting module 50 planted in potting soil 14 withmark(s) 56 at the level of surface 17 of potting soil 14 so that seed 35is disposed at the preferred planting depth 36.

[0072] While the invention, with various embodiments, has been describedabove, in accordance with the patent statutes, a person skilled in theart will recognize that many modifications and variations are possiblewithin the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in thefollowing claims.

I claim:
 1. A planting arrangement comprising: a dissoluble container;potting soil disposed in said dissoluble container, said potting soilhaving a generally level surface; a plurality of spaced apart plantingmodules disposed in said potting soil, each of said planting modulesincluding at least one seed or at least one bulb in a dissolublecapsule; and said planting arrangement placeable in earth with saidgenerally level surface of said potting soil at substantially a level ofa surface of said earth.
 2. A planting arrangement, according to claim1, wherein said dissoluble container is elongate.
 3. A plantingarrangement, according to claim 1, further including at least onestructural element attached to at least two of said spaced apartplanting modules, said at least one structural element placing said atleast two of said spaced apart planting modules at a preferredseparation for planting.
 4. A planting arrangement, according to claim3, wherein said at least one structural element comprises at least onedissoluble rod.
 5. A planting arrangement, according to claim 7, furtherincluding a ventilated transparent cover attached to said dissolublecontainer, said ventilated transparent cover to facilitate earlyplanting.
 6. A planting arrangement, according to claim 1, wherein saiddissoluble container is comprised of starch.
 7. A planting arrangement,according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said dissoluble capsulesis comprised of starch.
 8. A planting module comprising: at least oneseed or at least one bulb; a dissoluble capsule enclosing said at leastone seed or said at least one bulb.
 9. A planting module, according toclaim 8, wherein said dissoluble capsule has at least one structuralfeature or at least one mark indicative of a preferred orientation forplanting.
 10. A planting module, according to claim 9, wherein saiddissoluble capsule has at least one structural feature or mark wherebyplacing said capsule in potting soil with said at least one structuralfeature or said at least one mark at a surface of said potting soilplaces said seed(s) or said bulb(s) at a preferred planting depth forsaid seed(s) or said bulb(s).
 11. A planting module, according to claim10, wherein placing said dissoluble capsule in potting soil with a topof said dissoluble capsule at a level of a surface of said potting soilplaces said seed or said bulb at said preferred planting depth for saidseed(s) or said bulb(s).
 12. A planting module, according to claim 8,further comprising: potting soil heaving a low moisture content disposedin said dissoluble capsule, a moisture content of said potting soilbeing insufficient to disintegrate or dissolve said capsule.
 13. Aplanting module, according to claim 12, wherein said potting soilcontains nutrients to enhance growth of said seed(s) or said bulb)(s).14. A planting module, according to claim 13, where said nutrientscomprise time release granules.
 15. A planting module, according toclaim 12, wherein said at least one seed or said at least one bulbcomprises at least one seed, and said moisture content is insufficientto cause sprouting of said at least one seed.
 16. A planting module,according to claim 8, wherein said dissoluble capsule is comprised ofstarch.
 17. A planting module, according to claim 9, further comprisinga paper or cardboard sheath surrounding said dissoluble capsule, saidpaper or cardboard sheath comprising substantially vertical sides whensaid capsule is placed in said preferred orientation.
 18. A plantingmodule, according to claim 9, further comprising: potting soil having alow moisture content disposed in said dissoluble capsule, a moisturecontent of said potting soil being insufficient to disintegrate ordissolve said dissoluble capsule, wherein at least a portion of saidpotting soil is above said seed(s) or said bulb(s) to cover saidseed(s)or said bulb(s) when said capsule is placed in said preferredorientation.
 19. A method of planting seeds or bulbs, said methodcomprising: placing said seeds or said bulbs in dissoluble capsules,said dissoluble capsules having at least one mark or at least onestructural feature indicative of a preferred planting depth for saidseeds or said bulbs; placing said capsules in earth in accordance withsaid at least one mark or said at least one structural feature herebysaid seeds or said bulbs are at said preferred planting depth; wateringsaid capsules whereby said capsules disintegrate and said seeds or saidbulbs contact moistened earth to germinate and begin growth.
 20. Amethod, according to claim 19, further comprising placing potting soilin said dissoluble capsules to cover said seeds or said bulbs after saidcapsules disintegrate.